Nathalie Quinlan turned away, speaking languidly, "I’m not interested!"
"When it cos to college, as long as you’ve made up your mind, that’s fine. In two or three months, with your intelligence and a little more effort, you could probably get into the Computer Science program at Southern University. You have to have confidence in yourself. If you don’t believe you can get in, then you really won’t."
Freddy Cagwin was taken aback by her encouragent; after all, his idea had been quite risky. When he ntioned it to Nancy Sullivan, she called him into her office several tis to persuade him to choose a more reliable school and major.
But Nathalie Quinlan didn’t tell him to change his mind; she simply asked him to think it through.
A spark began to illuminate the depths of his eyes; he took a deep breath, feeling sothing stirring in his chest, seemingly mustering the courage to face the difficulties.
Just then, Justin Wafford ca over with a group, having decided on the evening’s dining plans. He put his arm around Freddy’s shoulder and casually asked, "What are you and Nathalie talking about? I saw you guys have been chatting for quite a while."
Freddy Cagwin didn’t want to share their conversation with others and shook his head, replying, "Nothing much."
Justin Wafford gave him a look but didn’t press further. Turning to the girl, he said with sprightly enthusiasm, "Nathalie, we’ve settled on Hot Pot for dinner tonight, are you in?"
Since Nathalie Quinlan ca to them with the intention of sharing a al, and considering Hot Pot was one of her favorite foods, of course, she had no objections, "I’m in!"
"Aweso!" Justin Wafford imdiately smiled, clearly in high spirits, "Hot Pot tonight it is!"
*
Three days later.
McKinney Airport.
Amadeus Yancey personally saw her off.
Once they arrived at the airport, Alfred Garland slipped away to buy breakfast with perfect timing, leaving only Nathalie Quinlan and a certain man who had just been discharged from the hospital.
"Call when you get to Beijing," Amadeus Yancey said, his head bowed, the coldness on his face lting into the warmth of a spring breeze, his deep eyes focused and seductive.
Nathalie Quinlan hadn’t slept well all night, having risen early to catch the airplane, and now the cold wind gave her temples a throbbing pain.
She pulled up the hood of her sweater, took out her earphones, and casually grunted in acknowledgnt before adding, "Even if I don’t call you, Alfred will tell you when I arrive."
That was indeed the truth.
Amadeus Yancey curved his thin lips, clearly in a good mood. He leaned his head back slightly and chuckled, "...But I’d rather hear it from you directly."
Nathalie Quinlan: "..."
That hot, stifling feeling from a few days ago in his hospital room seed to return.
Nathalie Quinlan looked up at him, pursed her lips slightly, and her eyebrows knitted together a bit, "You..."
Amadeus Yancey raised his hand, rubbed the hair on the top of her head, and before she could finish, he said, "Tell when you get to Beijing, and also when you get to The Ninth Institute. Don’t worry about it there; aside from Alfred being with you, I’ve spoken with Brian Bonette, and he’ll look after you too. Wallace Radcliff will be there as well, and basically, they’re all people you know well."
"I’m not worried about that," Nathalie Quinlan’s attention was diverted, and she didn’t even notice his unrestrained affectionate gesture, responding nonchalantly.
"I’m worried," the man said in a deep tone, his voice nearly overlapping with hers as he lowered his eyes, "If anything cos up in the next couple of days, give a call. My phone will be on 24 hours a day."
He was about to leave for sowhere else, an urgent matter that he had to attend to, otherwise he would certainly have accompanied Nathalie Quinlan to The Ninth Institute.
Even having Alfred with her and informing Brian Bonette, he still wasn’t at ease with her being alone, afraid she might not adapt...
His treasure, of course, was safest under his own watchful eye!
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